Mr. Football in Florida has favorite
Junior to Watch: Andre Reese
School: Pierson (Fla.) Taylor
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Position: Inside linebacker
Size and Speed: Reese is 6-foot and 223 pounds. He was timed in the 40-yard dash at 4.7 seconds. Reese also bench-presses 340 pounds and power cleans 325. He has not qualified yet, but has a 2.7 grade-point average.
Statistics: As a junior, Reese led the state of Florida in rushing with 2,530 yards. He also had 27 touchdowns. But he might project as a linebacker or fullback in college.
Honors: Reese was the only junior to earn Mr. Football in the state of Florida.
Favorite schools: Florida State, Miami, Florida, North Carolina and Wisconsin top Reese’s early wish list. He does not have any scholarship offers at this point.
Skinny: Pierson (Fla.) Taylor might have one of the most versatile athletes in the state of Florida and it also is home to the only junior that earned Mr. Football honors at the end of last season. Recruiting fans meet Andre Reese, one of the state’s top prospects for the Class of 2003.
Reese was the state’s leading rusher last season, but he admits that he likes defense better and that might be his final destination in college.
"I like playing linebacker because its more instinctive and you have to play with aggression," Reese. "I like running back, too, to because I get to use my power to attack the defense. In college, I’ll probably play linebacker but would like an opportunity to play running back.
With the power that Reese’s possess, he would be a factor whatever side of the ball he plays.
"This next year is going to be real exciting, our offense of line is going to brand new,” Resse said. “But a lot of them got a lot of time as freshman and sophomores, so they will be ready to play. I'm just ready for spring ball to start and get the young guys ready for next year."
Reese said he also can’t help but get excited when it comes to recruiting. In fact, he said he has an early leader.
"If I had an early leader it would probably be Florida State,” he said. “But the other Florida schools are really high with me. It’s still early."
Reese will be attending the Down and Dirty camp this summer in South Florida.